In this highly multidisciplinary joint PhD project, we aim to develop high resolution mass spectrometry-based methods for the in-depth proteomic characterization of epigenetic heterogeneity and apply these methods to elucidate the role of epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of bone tumours. You will focus on the in-depth characterization of cell-line derived histone proteoforms using top-down and middle-down proteomics approaches. You will also focus on the characterization of epigenetic and metabolic states upon treatment with epigenetic compounds. Furthermore, you will assess intratumour epigenetic and metabolic heterogeneity of various patient derived bone tumours, using high-resolving power mass spectrometry imaging. Finally, you will focus on the metabolic and epigenetic MSI-based characterization of tumours, obtained from patients enrolled in a clinical trial.

In short

·         You will contribute to research to better understand the biology underlying treatment of bone tumours

·         Specifically, you will work on the untargeted and in-depth characterization of epigenetic changes of bone tumours using mass spectrometry approaches

·         This is a multidisciplinary, joint PhD project, in which you will also spend approximately one year in Pisa, Italy

You have obtained your MSc degree in analytical chemistry or a biomedical area (or will do so on very short term). You must be willing to spend approximately one year in Pisa, Italy. Furthermore, it is required that you have some experience with (MALDI) mass spectrometry and cell biological techniques, preferably in the field of oncology, and have good technical skills. It would be preferred if you also have experience in computer scripting, and data analysis. You must be fluent in English, performance driven, structured and accurate and have good communication and writing skills.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

You will be appointed for the duration of four years. Your salary is a maximum of € 2,495 in the first year, amounting to a maximum of € 3,196 in the final year (scale PhD students, Collective Labour Agreement University Medical Centers).

LUMC

At the Leiden University Medical Center, we continuously work on improving patient care. We invest in groundbreaking, international research and work with the latest equipment. Together with our team of doctors, medical specialists, teachers, academic researchers and supporting staff, we aim for the best quality in health care, education and international research. And we need you to realize our goals!

Centre for Proteomics & Metabolomics (CPM)

You will mainly work in the Mass Spectrometry Imaging group at the Centre for Proteomics & Metabolomics (CPM). The group is led by Dr. Bram Heijs and is made up of two PhD students, two research technicians and undergraduate students. The project is in close collaboration with the research group Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Pathology at the Department of Pathology. This group is led by Prof. Dr. Judith V.M.G. Bovée who is a clinician scientist at the Department of Pathology, with a special focus on bone and soft tissue tumours. The LUMC has been recognized as a centre of expertise for bone and soft tissue tumours. At the Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, you will be supervised by Dr. Liam McDonnell, who is the head of the Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics, and an expert in bottom-up proteomics and mass spectrometry imaging.